Lionel Cann, one of the most experienced members of the Bermuda squad, has refused to take part in the World Cricket League Division Three tournament next month if the International Cricket Council goes ahead with plans to stage the event in Uganda.

The veteran Bermuda batsman’s concerns revolve around safety fears, with security forces in the East African country having only recently foiled a terror plot.

“I have already told the Bermuda Cricket Board that I will not be travelling if the tournament remains in Uganda,” Cann, 41, said.

“It’s great to play for my country and I think it’s the biggest honour ever, and something I will never turn down. But, in these circumstances, there is no way that I can go to that country.”

According to the United States Embassy in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, security forces stopped a cell of insurgents from al-Shabaab, who apparently were planning for an imminent attack in Kampala.

Al-Shabaab is a jihadist terrorist group based in Somalia that pledges allegiance to al-Qaeda, the focal point of the Western world’s “War on Terror” since 9/11.

Forces have since boosted patrols around major sites, while the US Embassy warned this week that al-Shabaab may try to exact revenge for a US air strike that killed the militant group’s leader, Ahmed Godane.

“To see that terrorists have been arrested in the same city where we are going to be playing, obviously that is a major concern to me,” Cann said.

“Being a family guy and having children, I will definitely not be travelling to that part of the world to play.”

Cann’s sentiments are shared in part by at least three of his Bermuda team-mates, who have chosen to remain anonymous, as well as a significant number of the US squad.

According to published reports, at least 11 US players have indicated that they are likely to pull out of the tournament, which serves as a qualifier for the 2019 World Cup, in the wake of last week’s raid.

The US cricket authorities were due last night to discuss the viability of sending a team, having earlier said that the Americans will definitely play in Uganda.

Nineteen suspects have been arrested by Uganda police in connection with the alleged terror plot. A US Embassy spokesperson said that the plot was being organised by the same al-Shabaab cell that was responsible last September for the Westgate Mall attack in Nairobi, Kenya, where more than 67 were killed, including four terrorists, and almost 200 wounded.

A police spokesperson stated that the suspects’ intentions “were very, very clear” in what was the planning of an “imminent” attack.

During the 2010 World Cup final, al-Shabaab killed at least 76 after setting off explosions that ripped through two restaurants in Kampala.

Tim Anderson, the ICC global development manager, said that the world governing body has launched its own investigation into the incident. “As you may be aware, a security-related incident took place in Kampala, Uganda, in recent days, and is now being widely reported in the international media,” he wrote in a letter sent to all competing teams, addressing renewed concerns.

“I wish to advise you that ICC’s security advisers are continuing to co-ordinate with various authorities on the ground in Kampala to understand the extent of this incident, and to ascertain the impact it may have on staging the event in Uganda.”